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2014 Conference

Friday, April 11, 2014 - 3:00pm to Sunday, April 13, 2014 - 12:15pm

Our 28th annual conference, From Abortion Rights to Social Justice: Building the Movement for Reproductive Freedom, took place April 11-13, 2014, at Hampshire College. More than 900 activists, students, academics, and professionals came for a weekend of workshops, performances, networking, and conversations.

Friday Workshops

“This was my first CLPP conference, and I am excited to attend for the next three years.”

The conference began on Friday afternoon with workshops sessions, including Crunk Feminism: Digital Activism for the Real World, Deconstructing the Good Mother Myth, Leading the Fight to Live and Thrive Positive, No Blurred Lines: Getting Clear Consent, State Violence and the Criminalization of our Communities, and Strategic Action Session: Cross-Movement Organizing in the South.

Breaking Silences: An Abortion Speak Out

“The abortion speak out was an amazing experience. Discussion and theory are one thing but the privilege of being able to know and hear from the people behind the statistics was an honor. I think that the humanization of abortion is such an landmark that society needs to reach."

After dinner, the Robert Crown Center was filled with people ready to hear and support personal accounts of abortions. Breaking Silences: An Abortion Speak Out provided a safe space for people with experiences of abortion to share their stories in a space intended to honor and support them.

Visions of Reproductive Justice

"It was all so awe-inspiring, but I think my favorite part of the conference was the opening plenary. It was surreal to see so many of the founding members of the movement and other individuals who are truly heroes of mine in one place."

On Saturday morning, 22 activists and performers used words, song, and performance to share their visions for reproductive justice in Speaking Out for Reproductive Freedom, the opening plenary.

Building our Knowledge

“It was truly inspiring to see people of so many different experiences and identities coming together. It was, I think, the first time that I really began to understand what intersectionality really means, and see that as humans we cannot be confined to one criteria, or one group, but that we are diverse together and apart.”

Throughout the weekend, 160 speakers offered a total of 71 workshops and panels. The Familiar Made Strange: An Exploration of Disability Justice and Access in our Racial, Economic and Multi-Issue Justice Work, Stand Up Against Population Alarmism, Transfeminisims, Creative Solutions to Abortion Restrictions, and the Unsustainability of the Military Industrial Complex were just a few of the sessions.

We Are the Movement

“I was fortunate enough to attend the final plenary. In particular, Katherine Cross was a very inspiring and passionate speaker. The way she framed the struggles facing transsexual women of color in relation to the reproductive justice movement was profound.”

The conference concluded with Sunday’s plenary, We Are the Movement. Speakers shared their experiences in reproductive and social justice movements, the challenges they have faced, and their visions for the future. Topics ranged from making space for new voices and leadership in the movements, intergenerational work and collaboration, and how to support each other across issues as we all work toward a common goal of reproductive rights and justice for all.

Check back soon for video from our opening and closing plenaries!

Thank You

We're very grateful for the support of our generous sponsors and the Hampshire community. The CLPP student group devoted countless hours, boundless energy, passion, and humor to make the conference run smoothly. Student group committee chairs coordinated the Speak Out, accessibility, childcare, entertainment, hospitality, outreach, and transportation. All conference speakers donated their time and energy, which is a huge contribution to building the movement for reproductive freedom!